O-Level examinations begin with 8,111 students

This year’s O-Level examinations began on Sunday with 8,111 students sitting the exams across the Maldives.

It is the first time in five years that O-Level examinations have been held at this time of the year, following changes to the academic calendar in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Unlike recent batches, students sitting the examinations this year have spent about eight months studying in Grade 10 before taking the exams.

According to the Ministry of Education, examinations are being held at 267 centres across the country.

The SSC Dhivehi examination is being held on Sunday. Examinations covering all subjects across the three streams will continue until 12 November.

The number of students sitting this year’s examinations is lower than in the previous two examination sessions, according to the ministry.

Students who completed Grade 10 last year sat their examinations in February this year.

O-Level examinations in the Maldives are generally held towards the end of the year. However, the schedule changed following disruptions to the academic calendar caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 2020 O-Level examinations were postponed because of the pandemic and were eventually held during the May/June examination session in 2021. The 2022 examinations were also held in May.

Further changes to the academic calendar resulted in O-Level examinations being held in April during each of the past three years.

This year’s examinations mark the return of the O-Level examination period to the latter part of the year.